Brandon T. Jackson was born in Detroit
on March 7, 1984 to preachers Bishop Wayne T. and Dr. Beverly Y.
Jackson. One of seven siblings, he credits his father for his
sense of humor, and says some additional inspiration comes from
such icons as Sinbad, Martin Lawrence, Will Smith and Chris
Tucker.

Ever the class clown, Brandon's passion for comedy led to his
doing talent shows and going onstage during youth nights at his
family's church. By age 14, his career as a stand‑up comic had
already evolved from local school shows to community projects
such as the Motor City Youth Festival.
After graduating from West Bloomfield High School, he headed to
Hollywood to take a shot at showbiz as a standup comedian. Not
long thereafter, he was discovered while performing at the Laugh
Factory.

As his stature gradually grew, Jackson received offers to open
for such stars as Chris Tucker and Wayne Brady. And he
subsequently appeared on ’Showtime at the Apollo’ and BET's
’Comic View.’ Critical acclaim eventually led to film roles in
Ali,
8 Mile and Envy, as well as being cast as Bow Wow's best
friend, Junior, in ’Roll Bounce.’

Recently, he launched the ’Teens of Comedy Tour’ presented by
BET which featured Lil JJ’ and some of the nation's funniest
teenage comedians. He also hosted the ’Up Close and Personal
Tour’ headlined by Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne, Juelz Santana
and Dem Franchize Boyz, and he can currently be seen as a cast
member on MTV's ’Wild ’N Out.’

Communicating with and motivating youth is a mission etched in
Brandon's heart, so when not working he spends his time reaching
back to help kids take their lives to the next level. Here, the
24 year-old role model talks about his latest picture, Tropic
Thunder, an action comedy co-starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black
and Robert Downey, Jr.

BJ: You know what? I read the script and it was really
funny. So, I decided to go audition for it. And after
auditioning for the role about a dozen times, Ben [director Ben
Stiller] finally said, ’you're the one for the part.’
KW: That's a lot of call backs.

BJ: Yeah, it was a lot of work.
KW: How was it being directed by Ben after that?

BJ: When we got on the set, all this magic just started
happening from there. It was great, man, because he's so
intense, and he knows how to get what he needs out of you. As an
African-American comedian, I was used to playing more to the
punch line, and he showed me how to stay within the character
instead of going for the joke. It was all magic.
KW: So, did you have to stick closely to the script?

BJ: No, I had to stick closely to the character. Any
deviations or ad-libs had to be consistent with the character.
KW: You co-starred with Ben and a couple of other big-name
actors in Jack Black and Robert Downey, Jr., who was in
blackface. How was that/

BJ: It was crazy! Robert would stay in character the
whole time. Ben would yell ’Cut!’ and Robert would say things
like, ’I'm a go back to the trailer to get some barbecued
chicken. You want to come with me Brandon?’

KW: Did you feel like you were making an action film, a comedy,
or both?

BJ: Both. Unfortunately, a lot of the action sequences
didn't survive the final edit. I understand that a movie can
only be a certain length, but why have us shoot so much stuff
just to cut it out. It was very taxing on my body
KW: It’ll all probably be on the DVD. Did you have to adopt a
special diet or training regimen for the rigorous role?

BJ: Yeah, I ate plenty of potatoes and fish. I was only
22 at the time, and needed to get bigger to hang with the big
dogs. So, I was lifting weights, and working out in Ben's gym.
KW: How did you do when you appeared on Showtime at the Apollo?

BJ: I killed.
KW: What's it like trying to be a comedian when you're the son
of two preachers?

BJ: Hard. It's tough. You have to try to balance both
worlds. But it's a job, and what I do in my personal life and my
business life are two different things. It's like how if you're
a lawyer and have to represent criminals, that doesn't mean you
don't have certain core values. My personal beliefs are
different from what I do for a living. In the final analysis, my
job is to bring joy to people's lives. If they’re laughing, then
it's not a bad thing. That's how I feel about it. I'm a
comedian.
KW: Do you ever feel pressure to work clean because of your
folks?

BJ: I did at first when I was kid. Now, it's a little
weird when I perform in front of my father, and he sees me
cussin’. I'm not really used to that, but at the same time, this
is what I do for a livin’. You know what I mean?
KW: Yep. Everyone calls you Chris Tucker's prot’g’. Who would
you say are your main influences?

BJ:
Will
Smith and Chris Tucker.
KW: Are you thinking of doing your own TV sitcom?

BJ: No, I want to stick to film.
KW: Is there any question no reporter has asked you, that you
wished someone would?

BJ: That one right there. That's a good question.
KW: Bookworm
Troy Johnson wants to know, what was the last book you read?

"Learning the game of power requires a
certain way of looking at the world, a shifting of
perspective," writes Robert Greene. Mastery of one's
emotions and the arts of deception and indirection are,
he goes on to assert, essential. The 48 laws outlined in
this book "have a simple premise: certain actions always
increase one's power ... while others decrease it and
even ruin us."

BJ: The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene.
KW: That's the same book
Mike Epps said he read last. The
Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

BJ: Yeah, I am. It's a good time in my life right now.
KW: ’Realtor to the Stars' Jimmy Bayan's question: Where in L.A.
do you live?

BJ: The Valley.
KW: Are you ever afraid?

BJ: Yeah, I'm afraid of failure.
KW: Do you have website where fans can reach you?

KW: How do you want to be remembered?
BJ: As one of the greatest comedians who ever walked the Earth.

KW: you're from Detroit. What do you think of the city's
embattled Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick? Should he step down at this
point?

BJ: He has to stop the b.s. now. It's too much. Come on,
dog, you can't be doing all that. It's too hot, If he's going to
step up and be a good mayor, then he should stop playing around.
We need hope right now. The country has many serious problems
which need to be addressed and too many politicians have failed
us. Enough! Stop b.s’ing.
KW: Do you consider yourself religious?

BJ: How come only black reporters ask me that? Black and
white people have a totally different view of religion. Of
course, I believe in God, and I'm definitely a Christian, but at
the same time, I'm in this business. So I find the question
annoying, because I'd prefer to be able to keep my spirituality
to myself.
KW: The only reason I ask is because your parents are preachers.

BJ: I hate to cut you short, but I have to go.
KW: Well, thanks for the time, and good luck with everything.

BJ: Cool man, I apologize. I never do people like this,
but I'm really late for this other thing.
KW: No problem, just promise me another interview with your next
movie when you're a big star.